France is one of Europe’s most scenic countries with a huge array of different landscapes, from coast to valleys, hills and mountains. Since it is the largest country in Western Europe, and also the third largest in the whole of Europe (following Russia and Ukraine), the biggest issue is going to be choosing where to go first.
It’s a good idea to plan a trip before you leave home so you can make sure you include many landmarks and sights to see. One of the most vital aspects is not only the “where” but also the “how” you’re going to travel.
When you really want to take in the views and immerse yourself in the landscapes, there’s no better option than hopping on a train. Here are some of the French locations you should have on your list for your next vacation.
Paris
It goes without saying that Paris is at the top of the list. It’s no surprise since it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It’s not uncommon for the capital city to host more than 40 million tourists each year.
If you’re ready to be one of them yourself, you should know it’s very easy to reach Paris by train. You can start off from several European cities, including Amsterdam and Brussels, and the travel time can range between 90 minutes and more than three hours, depending on your departure point. There are plenty of options that are transfer-free, but for those that don’t offer a direct route and you have to switch trains at some point, rest assured that your connection will be on time.
Since Paris is a bustling city, you have the option to travel to other capitals as well. For instance, you can take a train to London. The earlier you book your ticket, the lower the price will be. The fares will range between €88 and €411, so if you want to take this journey, it’s important to be prepared in advance.
While in Paris, there are many landmarks you must make sure you don’t miss out on. The place des Vosges, Bois de Vincennes, Jardin du Luxembourg, and Stravinsky Fountain are just a few of them. When you take into account all the museums and art galleries, as well as the shopping avenues and centres, you may decide that you need to take a few weeks off just to experience all Paris has to offer.
Gorges du Verdon
The deepest canyon in Europe, the Verdon Gorge is located in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, in the southeast of France. It is 25km long and 700m deep and it was formed by the Verdon River. This, in turn, gets its name from its turquoise waters, one of the location’s most distinguishing features.
If you’re passionate about hiking or want to try travelling on the river in a hire kayak, canoeing, paragliding, or rafting this region is one that’s simply impossible to miss.
There are more than 100 climbing routes on limestone and if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, you’ll be delighted to see the Styx du Verdon, present in a sub-canyon area and reminiscent of the goddess-river forming the boundary between Earth and the Underworld in legends.
The best news is that it’s not difficult to reach this place via the Marseille-Lyon train service. This way, you can leave your car at home and actually get to bask in the beauty of the surrounding places.
La Ligne des Hirondelles
La Ligne des Hirondelles translates as “The Swallow Railway”. This line takes its name from its building process. The workers were toiling from scaffolding so high up they could see swallows fly above.
Covering 120km and running from the towns of Dole to Saint-Claude, this is a must-see if you’re a fan of train travel. This route will leave you thoroughly impressed, as the sights you can see from the window are one of a kind.
The most impressive section is between Morbier and Morez, as you’ll pass by a succession of viaducts. The starting point, Dole, is the birthplace of Louis Pasteur, the chemist who is honoured as the “father of microbiology”.
Saint-Claude is the capital of tobacco pipes and diamonds. This way, the moment you step out of the train, you can be sure a cultural journey awaits no matter which end of the line you’re at.
Nîmes and Le Grau-du-Roi
Nîmes is a city in the Occitanie région. An important outpost during the time of the Roman Empire, it is still referred to as the “French Rome” due to its well-preserved monuments from that time, particularly an amphitheatre which is still in use.
Le Grau-du-Roi lies on France’s Mediterranean coast, where you can enjoy the L’Espiguette Beach and the Seaquarium housing sea turtles and sharks. For a nice contrast, you can visit the La Grande-Motte, a resort town with modernist architecture, lying to the west, and then move to the northeast and visit Aigues-Mortes, a medieval walled town.
You also don’t want to miss out on seeing the bulls, horses and flamingos in the Camargue Regional Park. The wildlife in this area is spectacular, so if you enjoy watching animals in their natural habitats and photographing them, this is the ideal place to capture some truly amazing shots.
France is a charming country that’s bursting with stunning scenery and landscapes. During your next trip, opt for rail trips throughout the country to truly absorb all its beauties.
